Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently had the honor of visiting Commack High School to view the “Flags for Freedom” display which commemorates those who were perished in the September 11th attacks on America. The display is comprised of nine hundred and eleven 3’x5’ American flags that were installed along the roadway leading to the school as a show of support for those who serve and protect our freedom in honor of the 10th Anniversary of that fateful day.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently participated in the Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program at North Ridge Primary School to read to the children. Reading “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin to Mrs. Rosanne Wilson’s ABA class, Mrs. Cyndi Nichols’ Kindergarten class, and Mrs. Jen Ryan’s 2nd grade class, Senator Flanagan joined parents and other community members in bringing the joy of reading to the students of the Commack school.

In a recent letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senators Kenneth P. LaValle (1st Senate District), John Flanagan (2nd Senate District), Lee Zeldin (3rd Senate District) and Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District) formally called for the restoration of building aid to four Suffolk County school districts to be included as part of the Governor’s upcoming budget proposal. The State Education Department originally denied this funding to the districts because they inadvertently failed to file paperwork on time for certain capital construction projects.

The state Senate is fast-tracking at least eight education funding bills that were vetoed in September by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The bills all involve school districts that have been stripped of state aid because of minor errors. The bills include the restoration of $3.8 million to the Schenectady City School District.

In this morning's state Senate Committee on Education meeting, Chairman John Flanagan, R-Long Island, said, "We're going to push the issue." The eight bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.